Focused and Other - Get Rid Of!
I want one inbox - I didn't ask for two. The other and focused options are so screwed up and annoying; I cannot even imagine why this was done. Most of the time I am getting focused emails in my other and other emails in my focused. How do your algorithms even sort or decide which is which? And why are you deciding? It is my inbox!

First off – I want to thank each and every one of your for trying the Outlook.com beta. Also for spending the time to offer and vote on all of the feedback.
I wanted to make sure that we let you all know that we did add some more controls around the Focused/Other inboxes. This includes allowing you to decide if you want it on or off.
We also fixed some bugs to make sure that it keeps your desired setting after you login/log out
To Control Focused Other Do the following:
1) Login to your account and make sure you are in the Beta
2) In the top right hand corner there is a little Gear Icon, click on it.
3) This opens the quick settings pane. From here you can disable Focused/Other, as well as other features like Conversation View, and the reading Pane.
Also, as you click on the settings in the Quick Settings you should see your screen update. This should help you ensure you are configuring your setup exactly the way you like.
Hope this helps, and thanks for all of the feedback!
David Los
327 comments
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Toren commented
NO JOKE, MICROSOFT. This is like new coke, except it isn't going away. Stop pretending you know more about what I need my computer to do for me than I do. Computers should be reactive, not predictive unless it has something to do with certain search algorithms. I look at "Focused" and "Other" and see no rhyme or rhythm - there are rules and I can make my own.
I shouldn't have to follow a page of instructions and waist an hour of my day to configure it and turn it off. How about leave well enough alone unless I jump through hoops to turn it on.
I'm talking to you Microsoft development director suits...
P.S. Looks like about 100% of the comments are telling you to *GET RID OF IT*. Please.
I'd just add this: Hurry.
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Toren commented
NO JOKE, MICROSOFT. This is like new coke, except it isn't going away. Stop pretending you know more about what I need my computer to do for me than I do. Computers should be reactive, not predictive unless it has something to do with certain search algorithms. I look at "Focused" and "Other" and see no rhyme or rhythm - there are rules and I can make my own.
I shouldn't have to follow a page of instructions and waist an hour of my day to configure it and turn it off. How about leave well enough alone unless I jump through hoops to turn it on.
Get a clue development director suits...
Get rid of it. Please.
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Carol Brentnall commented
Don't know what you are talking abou! Don't want any changes! Leave us all alone with your dumb ideas or I will use another e-mail provider! HAVE YOU READ ANY OF THESE COMMENTS. DO NOT SEND A RESPONSE TO MY E-MAIL!!!!!!!
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Anonymous commented
ger rid of this feature. I'm so confused when checking for new mail, i never know what conversations will be in focused or other. It doesn't even decribe them. What is a "focused" inbox and why doesn't it show me half my new emails? All i need is an inbox, a junk folder, and that's it.
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W Lee commented
This new version of Outlook mail is absolutely rubbish. Why have 2 inboxes? It causes confusion and wastes my precious looking through junk I don't want. Go back to the simpler, more user-friendly version of 10 years ago.
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Enrico Chiappetta commented
Why can't I any longer able to sign out of my new beta, "wonderful" P of S Outlook email account? Disgraceful!!! What genius thought of that feature? It seems we have a bunch brainless monkeys at the controls over at MS Outlook... If this is offensive to you... I really meant it to be!!!
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Sean Mangroo commented
Outlook really doesn't listen to its users does it? The beta isn't good, it causes more problems than it fixes (which are zero) and people want to get rid of it and go back to at least the last version. holding peoples email ******* until we forcibly get used to it isn't a positive thing.
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lukeslc commented
I simply DO NOT like what they have done to Outlook. I DO NOT like the new look, or whatever it is. I HATE the "improvements", if that is what they think they are. I just want back what I had before this big change. Actually, I am starting to use G-MAIL because I HATE what they have done to Outlook.
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Anonymous commented
Dislike very much.
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John Rydholm commented
Yes, this is a little annoying.
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Anonymous commented
I don't even have the option to switch back & forth any more.
Outlook has treated its customers with contempt in forcing this horrible new version on them - if Beta was as "wonderful" as they think it is, we'd *choose* to use it!! It can only be that we're forced to use it because they know no-one would if we had the choice! Seems the only choice we have is to choose a different provider... -
Anonymous commented
I want one in box forget beta
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Joan commented
Hate it! Want my old one back!!!
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Anonymous commented
The Micronazis seem unaware that their Beta makes reading email and traversing the system so much more complicated.
By the sound of it they are now forcing their new and useless system on users. I have alternative email services and only kept Hotmail/Outlook because it was convenient. Not anymore.
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Tony Taylor commented
IF IT AINT BROKEN LEAVE IT ALONE.
THESE CRAZY CHANGES ARE DRIVING ME UP THE WALL. I AINT GOT TIME TO TRY AND WORK OUT WHAT T F YOU HAVE DONE.
HOW DO I GET THESE CHANGES OFF AND GO BACK TO THE OLD WAY, WHICH WORKED FINE. -
ray owens commented
The Focused and Other concept is very unnecessary, it make trying to just simply read your emails a complicated back and forth nightmare,,,please return it back to the original format.
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Anonymous commented
Love
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milfrench commented
I hate what you did with the changes. It's difficult to find what you need, and trying to read messages is like looking for a needle in a haystack. The print is so small that a magnifying glass is needed to see it. Bring back my easy to manage outlook. Like the old saying, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".
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Anonymous commented
2 inboxes....why???? and who decides whats focused and whats other??? WASTE OF TIME!
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Anonymous commented
the focused and other is too complicated